Keen2Learn visits the dragon’s Den
WINNER REVEALED IN FIRST EVER ‘DRAGON’S DEN’-STYLE COMPETITION FOR OVER 50′S Keen2Learn.co.uk a shining example to other 50+ start-ups Alistair Owens, from Doncaster, has won a nationwide search for the most promising over 50s entrepreneur, launched by world-leader in silicon innovation, Intel®.
The profIT@50 judges were extremely impressed with Mr. Owens’ online business, selling educational products. keen2learn www.keen2learn.co.uk is a family firm, founded by Mr Owens and his son in 2005. The website aims to empower parents to help their children achieve greater success by giving them access to the same educational teaching resources, games, software and activities used in schools to support the National Curriculum. With this venture, Mr. Owens is putting his 20 years of experience in marketing - latterly in the distribution of educational products - and a career’s-worth of contacts, to excellent use.”Mr Owens is a shining example to other potential over 50s entrepreneurs that setting up your own business can be a very viable option,” says Intel’s Director for Public Sector, Tristan Wilkinson. “We’ve been delighted with both the quality and quantity of entries received, showing just how many people in the 50+ age group there are out there with excellent business ideas,” he added.An excited Mr Owens explained “Winning this competition will really help us move keen2learn to the next stage, widening our portfolio and increasing awareness amongst parents that they all have the ability to complement their child’s progress at school. In fact, we’ve seen that supporting their children at home rekindles parents’ interest in learning, so we are considering expanding into adult education too,”he adds.
The Intel profIT@50 competition was designed to reward the cream of British business talent in the 50+ age group, and encourage others to consider making the dreams they have harboured all their lives a reality. The panel - made up of Yo! Sushi founder and one of the original BBC Dragon’s Den judges, Simon Woodroffe,experts from Intel, and a representative of PRIME, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping over 50s set up in business - were looking for ideas that were innovative, made good business sense, and had potential for profit and growth.
“Alistair Owens is a fantastic example to other potential 50+ entrepreneurs out there” said Simon Woodroffe. “He’s had a great idea, has the experience to get it going and the inspiration to take it further. People like him should be encouraged to achieve all they can, particularly given that when over 50s take the plunge with a start-up they tend to be three times as successful as younger people!” he added.
October 2006
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